Category Archives: Seasons

Our road trip was planned. My wife and I hired a motor-home and we were going to use it to drive to Yeppoon on the central Queensland coast; a return journey of over four thousand kilometres with four weeks to complete our journey.

Like most plans, things can sometimes go awry. Due to a family emergency, day one found us still at home and day two was spent driving for two hours to pick up the motor home, then, what seemed like almost as much time finalizing the paperwork. So, it was late in the afternoon of day two we headed north along the Hume Freeway to start our road trip.

Day 3:

After our first night in the motor home we woke on Sunday morning to a cold frosty winter’s day. At least we had bright sunshine and beautiful blue skies.

Our motor home at Wangaratta North.

Still heading north along the Hume Freeway, we soon turned off to visit the historic gold town of Chiltern.

The Main Street of Chiltern

Chiltern is very proud of its heritage and the buildings, most built in the 19th century, are beautifully maintained. In some ways, walking around this little town was like stepping back in time. The local people were friendly and strangers in the street would smile and say, “G’day”.

Masonic Hall

The Court House – built in 1865

Side view of the Court House

Federal Standard Newspaper Office – built in 1860

Bank of Australasia – now a Tea House with fine food and hand crafts

My wife and I visited the Old Chiltern Bank Tea House (28 Conness Street, Chiltern, Victoria 3683). We were tempted to try the delicious looking cakes but resisted and just had coffee.

The new owner greeted us in a friendly manner and made us welcome. We pledged to return one day for an extended stay and both of us agreed this beautiful old bank would be the perfect place to stay as the bank residence is currently being renovated and soon to be used for accommodation.

The above photo, now the local vet’s office, has signs that give clues to this building’s former existence – “Kodak supplies” and “Enlargements”.

Star Hotel – at the height of the gold rush, Chiltern had 12 hotels

The original Blacksmith Building

Doorway to the Old Blacksmith Building

Athenaeum Museum Annex

Many of the well preserved buildings of Chiltern are registered with the National Trust. So if driving the Hume Freeway in Victoria, I would highly recommend taking a short detour and visiting this historic town.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

The male Superb Fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus) has been labelled as the “least faithful bird in the world”. The female may be courted by up to 13 males in a half hour period.

The Superb Fairy-wren is a small Australian Native bird (13 – 14 cms) and about 10 grams in weight. They are found south of the Tropic of Capricorn in eastern Australia.

Female Superb Fairy-wren

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

The following photographs are of Eucalyptus flowers of the Tuart tree (Eucalyptus gomphocephala). It is an Australian native plant and is endemic to Western Australia.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

Spotted Doves (aka Turtle Doves) were introduced to Australia and they have thrived in our cities. This photo was taken an urban Melbourne backyard.

2 – White-faced Heron (Egretta novaehollandiae)

I kept meeting this particular wader as it fed in the creek where I took my daily walk. White-faced Herons are a common Australian native bird which has also adapted to living in urban areas.

3 – Yellow-faced Honeyeater (Lichenostomus chrysops)

I snapped this bird in my backyard. I saw it sitting there preening, and was able to get close. It is just one of the many different varieties of honeyeaters that call my home, home.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

As I walked along the Barongarook Creek bank today I disturbed an Eastern Great Egret (Ardea modesta) which flew up into a nearby tree. The following photos are of the Egret trying to get balanced on the tree top.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

The following photograph is of a Little Raven (Corvus mellori) which I took on a recent walk around one of my favourite birding places: Jawbone Reserve.

Little Raven on a Park Bench

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

Spotted Doves also known as Turtle-Doves (Streptopelia chinensis) are native to eastern Asia. They were introduced to Australia during the 1860s and quickly became established.

These are just two birds from a small flock of about 20 to 30 birds living in a backyard environment of suburban Melbourne.

Please Note: All photographs appearing on my blog were taken by me. They are copyrighted and all rights are reserved. If you would like to purchase a print please contact me by leaving a comment below with your order and contact details. I will then get back to you.

A collection of photographs and paragraphs describing the natural beauty and wildlife of the Malwa region of Madhya Pradesh and beyond.**** All pictures are taken by yours truly with Canon Powershot SX50HS****